Category Archives: Around the Area

Check out this beautiful home in Oakdale! This home features spacious open floor plan with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and fireplace with stone surround. Enjoy the great deck and patio for views of wildlife and quiet pond!

When you think of purchasing a house, the number one challenge most potential homebuyers have to think about is their down payment. Homebuyers are typically required to contribute a down payment equal to 3-20% of the sales price of the home. Low down payment options are real and they represent a significant portion of today’s purchases. However, even if you can get a low down payment loan, is it a good idea? Not necessarily. Let’s see the difference between putting a 20% down payment to having a low down payment.

The larger your down payment, the less you have to borrow, and therefore, the lower your monthly payments. You pay less over the life of the loan.

If you have a very small down payment, you will be eligible for fewer types of mortgages and may be charged a higher interest rate.

For any down payments less than 20%, you will be asked to pay Private Mortgage Insurance. This insurance safeguards the lender should the borrower be unable to keep up the monthly mortgage payments, resulting in less of a financial loss to themselves.

The bigger the down payment builds an instant equity the property when you purchase it, which safeguards you if the market turns down temporarily.

So having presented with these, the down payment also acts as a reality check: if you haven’t been able to save for even a minimal 3% amount for down payment, you should ask whether you are financially ready to buy a house. Education is the key. Knowing more how down payments are determined and knowing all your options can save you from a lot of stress and debts in the future. Be sure you are ready and financially secure before you dive into purchasing a home.

Do you want to learn more about preparing your finances to purchase a home? Or do you want to know how much you would qualify for TODAY? We partner with a wonderful lender who can provide information to you in a no-pressure environment! Just send us an email or give us a call so we can introduce you!

Get ready to join in for some fun and adventure! Join other little goblins and their parents or guardians for a night filled with “ghostly games, devilish demonstrations and a fun-filled hayride”! The Halloween Spooktacular is hosted at the Harriet Alexander Nature Center (2520 Dale St. N.) in Roseville, MN. For more information on the event center and the address, visit their website at: http://www.ci.roseville.mn.us/index.aspx?nid=183 or reach them by phone at 651-792-7012.

This event costs a small fee (last year was around $6 for adult & child together), but the price is worth the loads of fun. Please note that adult attendance is required. Each child will walk away with a special Halloween treat bag, and during the event they will enjoy a hayride, popcorn and many different forms of entertainment.

To pre-register, you may download and fill out this form http://cityofroseville.com/DocumentCenter/View/12820 and bring it to the Roseville Parks & Recreation Department prior to the day of the event. You can also register by phone with a Visa, MasterCard or an American Express card at 651-792-7110. You are available to pre-register by phone Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM. Please note that if you plan on taking the hayride, you must also fill out a hayride waiver and hand it in when you check in. The hayride waiver can be found here: http://cityofroseville.com/DocumentCenter/View/12822

Our team loves working in the Roseville, MN area! We love fun-filled events for all ages and families. If you have any questions regarding real estate in this area, please contact us at 651-269-3487 or email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com.
Our Website: http://www.ericksonteamhomesearch.com/

A millennial is defined as a person of the generation between Generation X and Generation Z. They were born roughly between 1980 and 2000. Young adults in this generation have been known for a few specific things, just like any other generation. Some may look at these young adults as “entitled” or “spoiled”. Many joke that the Millennials have never heard the word “no”. And, much of this blame is placed on the “helicopter parenting” and “every child deserves a trophy” mentality. Another viewpoint of the Millennial is that we are extremely under-employed young adults with very high college debt. The chances of finding a job that will pay a decent wage is a difficult challenge many Millennials face.

Looking at the latter point, one obvious conclusion is that Millennials are having a hard time finding a good place to live. Most cities have very high costs of living, expensive rent, and very few job opportunities available compared to the number of college grads. A recent statistic from the Project on Student Debt: Recent Publications, shows that seven out of ten college seniors who graduated last year had student loan debt. The average amount of debt is right around $30,000.

However, if you happen to live in the Minneapolis area, you may be in luck. Minneapolis, MN is one of the top-rated cities for low rental rates, inexpensive and accessible public transit, and more open availability for good paying jobs to help cover loan debt, food and clothing.

According to Forbes.com, the average salary for Millennials is almost $43,000. Around 23% of the workforce in Minneapolis is compromised of Millennials. This is one of the top cities employing young people, and offering a very fair starting wage. Recently, the National Association of Realtors has named Minneapolis as one of the top cities for Millennials to purchase a home. The median home price in Minneapolis is around $212,900. To purchase a single-family home, a Millennial would need to make $47,928 with a 5% down payment, or $45,406 with a 10% down payment. With a 20% down payment, a Millennial would need an annual salary of $40,361. With only a 4.5% unemployment rate, a lower cost of living, and many employers hiring here, this is a great place to call home!

If you, or any Millennial you know may be looking to purchase a home in the Twin Cities area, please feel free to contact us at: 651-269-3487 or email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com

Welcome to this bright and charming home! This home has so many great updates. The kitchen, bathrooms, carpet, gutters, windows and more… have all been updated! This home features one-level living if you choose. There is a great main level bedroom with a full bath. 2 extra bedrooms and a full bath are on the upper level. Entertain with extra finished living space in the basement!

The fully-fenced in large backyard is perfect for entertaining. There is also a fully-insulated garage w/attached 21×8 shed in the backyard.

Such a great neighborhood that is centrally located and near shopping and major high-ways!

Don’t pass this one up!!Call us at 651-269-3487 for any questions you may have, or feel free to email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com

A very welcoming home situated on a 1-acre wooded lot in the Centennial district. The home features a lovely main level with a formal dining room and large bay windows, a large family room w/vaulted ceilings and a grand fireplace, a kitchen featuring a center island, a full-sized laundry room, and a master suite with double sinks, a whirlpool tub, separate shower and a walk-in closet! Enjoy the private backyard with a pool, large deck, tool shed and extra garage! The unfinished basement is ready for your finishes!

Large front porch at home located on a 1-acre lot with mature trees! — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.Kitchen with wall oven and center island. — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.Great pool built into a large back deck in the private, serene backyard. — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.Formal dining room with large bay windows and newer flooring. — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.Large vaulted ceilings and a gas burning fireplace in the living room! — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.Extra garage in the back yard- perfect for pool toys, lawn and garden supplies or a boat! — in Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

With only a few more months left before the snow falls, make sure to get out and visit some of Minnesota’s top farmers markets. We have some of the best markets in the country, and many of them are right here in the Twin Cities!

The Saint Paul Farmers Market is one of the largest markets in Minnesota. The market offers everything, from vegetables to fruits, fresh flowers to herbs and many different plants. The market also offers different artisan-made foods, seasonal items (pumpkins, wreaths & Christmas trees), honey, spreads and dips, soaps, and much more!

This market is open through late October! Here, you can enjoy freshly prepared foods as well as an array of produce. The market offers different meats and cheeses from local farms, many different pieces of art from local artists, and entertainment for all ages! Every week, this market features some sort of live music, kid-friendly activity, a cooking or composting demonstration, and gardening advice!

“Hip, local, green & gourmet”! This market runs through late October, and the tagline describes it perfectly. This market offers an array of fresh produce and prepared foods. Enjoy lots of local foods, homemade crafts and local music!

This market was established in the year 2000, and focuses on the educational experience of quality food. The market offers a fun twist to other local markets… for example, blending smoothies using bicycle power! The market also offers many different homemade crafts from local artists!

The Farmers Market Annex is a market that offers food and different items from local and non-local artists and farmers! This is also one of Minnesota’s largest markets, and offers lots of different produce, flowers, jewelry plants and seasonal items. This market specializes in flowers, Christmas trees and also offers a beautiful event center!

This market is fun and unique! There are lots of different items… not just the regular fruits, veggies and plants. Fulton’s Farmers Market offers many speciality ready-to-eat foods, pizzas, crafts and garden art! The market offers advice and recipes to help promote sustainability and healthy diets. If you have children, this is also a great market to keep the little ones entertained- magic shows, puppet shows and book readings are just some of the kid-friendly activities!

Make sure you take time to get out there and support our local farmers and artists! These markets are just one of the reasons we love living and doing business in the Twin Cities! For any information about the local housing market or questions about a specific area, please contact us at 651-269-3487 or email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com

Did we forget a market that you love? Add you ideas and comments below!

Just a week ago, I took a day-long class to learn some new real estate techniques. The class was full of fun and useful information so that we, the agents & teams, can provide our clients with new and exciting information. During our class, I came across one tool that I feel is super useful, easy and fun to use! It is called SeeClickFix, and does exactly what it says. If you have ever encountered a non-emergency issue in your neighborhood (an abandoned vehicle, grafitti, a pothole, overgrown grass, a burnt out street light, an overflowing trashcan) and you’ve been unaware of who to contact for this problem, keep on reading!

As agents, we usually come across things in the city or neighborhood that our clients have questions on. For example, we may be showing a great house to a client…but the neighbors grass is way overgrown. Or, a client may be ready to put in an offer on a home, but is really worried about a broken streetlamp or pothole in front of the home. This tool can help resolve those problems and put a client and agent’s mind at ease when viewing homes.

This tool is simple. You see a problem in your city or neighborhood, you take a quick picture of it, and you submit it to the website using the easy app or website. It is completely anonymous and is the simplest way to help clean up your community in a fast and efficient way. Visit here to read more about SeeClickFix and how it works: How It Works

For example, in Minneapolis, MN- our neighborhood, some of the most recent resolved cases include: an abandoned vehicle, graffiti, and a pothole. There have been over 2,406 cases just in the Minneapolis, MN area. With this quick and easy way to report these issues, our city is more efficient and cleaner!

You can see by these photos, that you can submit a picture of the issue. Then, the case will either be “open” or “acknowledged”, and the case will be given a number and you will know when the issue is resolved!

To download the app and learn more about the app, visit here: SeeClickFix App

As a team in the Twin Cities area, we love seeing issues resolved quickly and efficiently. If a client needs peace of mind before buying that perfect home, this app can definitely help! If you’re looking to sell your home, but embarrassed or worried about that eyesore on your block, this app is also very helpful.

For more information on our services, please contact us at 651-269-3487 or email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com

Make sure you get to visit a few of these top Minnesota attractions before the next snow fall. If you haven’t had a chance yet this summer to visit these awesome locations, make sure you get a chance!

#1: The Walker Art Center & Minneapolis Sculpture Garden-

The Walker Art Center was the first public art gallery in the upper Midwest area and was established in 1927. Next to the center is the famous Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, which is one of the largest urban sculpture parks in the country. There are plenty of unique sculptures to view and take pictures of. There is also a fun mini-golf course! Some of the favorite sculptures are the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen Spoonbridge and Cherry. For more information on attractions visit the website: Walker Art Center Website

#2: Minnehaha Falls Park-

Minnehaha Falls Park has 193 acres of beautiful river outlooks, limestone bluffs and all kinds of nature. The park is halfway between the two downtown areas making it convenient to visit. It is also ranked one of the most popular parks in the area. There is a bike and pedestrian trail, areas to have a picnic or relax and watch the falls, and a bandstand for different concerts.

#3: Grand Avenue-

Grand Avenue is located in Saint Paul, and is always busy with activity and people. There are numerous fun boutiques, speciality shops, spas, and many locally owned restaurants along the strip. Grand Avenue is fairly large…running 30 blocks, and parts of the street are filled with beautiful old homes. The nearby University of St. Thomas and Macalester College add charm to the area. Some of our favorite places to stop along Grand Ave. are: Cafe Latte, Bread & Chocolate, Grand Ole Creamery & Pizzeria and the Wild Onion.

#4: Fort Snelling State Park-

Fort Snelling is conveniently located in the heart of the metro area near the airport and the Mall of America. The park offers great outdoor recreation and historical sites perfect to visit in the warm months of the year. Fort Snelling is located along the Mississippi and Minnesota RIvers, and offers a 18 mile hiking trail, 5 miles of biking trails and canoe rentals for Gun Club Lake. There is also a 9-hole golf course, and swimming available in Snelling Lake. There are numerous historic sites within the fort as well as cannon firing! For more information on pricing and attractions visit the website! Fort Snelling State Park

#5: Wheel Fun Rentals-

Wheel Fun Rentals is located in numerous locations throughout the Twin Cities! Lake Harriet, Lake Calhoun, Lake Nokomis, Minnehaha Falls and the St. Paul Hotel are a few of the rental areas. If you want to sight see in any of these locations, you can rent bikes, special bikes, kayaks, pedal boats, canoes and surreys. (Different rentals at different locations). Wheel Fun Rentals Website

#6: Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway-

The Grand Round National Scenic Byway is a 50-mile route that loops through tree-lined neighborhoods past rivers, lakes, woods and waterfalls. The byway is part of Minneapolis parkland, and Minneapolis has more parkland acres per capita than any other major city in the United States! You’ll be sure to see something of interest in this route!

#7: The Minnesota Zoo-

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, Minnesota and has been around for over 35 years! This is a very large zoo with animals arranged by living environment, and six different themed areas. There are three different themed walking trails ranging from 1 to 2 miles in length. The zoo also features an IMAX theatre, and zoo passes range from Free-$18 per person. Visit the website for more detailed information on cost and attractions: Minnesota Zoo Website

#8: The Target Field-

If you haven’t had a chance to visit the newer Target Field yet, it’s a must! The ballpark is located in downtown Minneapolis, and is home to the Minnesota Twins, the state’s MLB franchise. The field was built specifically for the Twins back in 2010. There are lots of fun activities to join in on during the game, and there is plenty of great food and drinks. Visit their website for pricing, tickets, transportation information, and more! Target Field Website

Our team loves the Twin Cities area. For any questions about real estate around the Twin Cities, please contact us at 651-269-3487 or email us at Sandy@SandyErickson.com.